Costco May Not Come To Cranston After All: Reports

CRANSTON, RI — Wholesale shoppers in Rhode Island might not be getting a new option after all.

The first Costco Wholesale in the state was expected to open in Cranston at the site of the former state correctional institution's building on Goddard Road. But Costco withdrew its zoning and permit applications in September 2023, NBC 10 reported.

The news was learned when Republican state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung kicked off her candidacy for mayor against incumbent Ken Hopkins. She announced the withdrawal of Costco's applications at her campaign launch on Tuesday night. Cranston Planning Director Jason Pezzullo later confirmed the application withdrawals to WPRI 12, but said they do not prevent Costco from reapplying.

Hopkins, also a Republican, told WPRI 12 he was frustrated with Fenton-Fung's announcement, arguing Costco never submitted an application to the Cranston Planning Commission. He also said the zoning application was withdrawn for "further development discussions," but he remains hopeful the wholesale chain will come to Cranston.

"National companies prefer to undertake planned expansions and developments quietly and with clear understanding of a host community’s development standards and ordinances," Hopkins told WPRI 12. "We welcome companies like Costco and understand their business reasons on why they do not confirm news or announcements until they are ready."

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